针刀松解膝结筋病灶点通过Wnt/β-catenin通路改善膝骨关节炎软骨退化OA

Objective:To explore the effects and mechanisms of acupotomy at these three Jingjin Lesion sites on cartilage degeneration in knee osteoarthritis.Methods:Eighteen 2-month-old male New Zealand rabbits were selected and marked with numbers.They were divided into three groups—a blank group,a model group,and an acupotomy group—with six rabbits in each group,using the random number method.The blank group was raised normally with-out immobilization.The model group and the acupotomy group were modeled with knee osteoarthritis using the Vide-man method for 6 weeks.One week after successful modeling,the acupotomy group received acupotomy intervention at three specific acupoints:Hedingci,the lateral superior patellar point,and the medial superior patellar point.The interven-tion was performed once a week for a total of 2 weeks.One week after the completion of the treatment,the severity of knee osteoarthritis was assessed using the Lequesne MG knee score.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the synovial tissue and rectus femoris structure.Safranin O-fast green staining was used to observe the cartilage damage.The levels of coagulation and hemorheological parameters,including FIB,APTT,TT,and PT,were measured in each group.Western Blot and real-time quantitative PCR were used to verify the protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt-3α,MMP-13,β-catenin,and C-MYC.ELISA for rabbit serum IL-1β,TNF-α,P-selectin,PGE2,cAMP,cGMP levels.Results:Compared to the model group,the acupotomy group exhibited significantly lower Lequesne MG scores(P<0.05).Histo-logical staining revealed decreased fibrosis and a more uniform chondrocyte distribution in the acupotomy group.Coagula-tion tests showed prolonged PT and reduced FIB levels in the acupotomy group.Western Blot and qRT-PCR results dem-onstrated that acupotomy significantly downregulated the expression of Wnt-3α,MMP-13,β-catenin,and C-MYC at both protein and mRNA levels(P<0.05).ELISA analysis indicated lower levels of inflammatory factors(IL-1β,TNF-α,P-selectin,PGE2)and an elevated cAMP/cGMP ratio in the acupotomy group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupotomy therapy at the three Jingjin lesion sites demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in improving knee joint function,protecting carti-lage tissue and its extracellular matrix,modulating coagulation function,and suppressing inflammatory responses.These effects are likely mediated through regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.